Barakaldo

Barakaldo is a municipality located in the Biscay province in the Basque Country in Spain. Located on the Left Bank of the Estuary of Bilbao, the city is part of Greater Bilbao, has a population at 100,881. Barakaldo has an industrial river-port heritage and has undergone significant redevelopment with new commercial and residential areas replacing the once active industrial zones.
History
The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica original entry on the town stated:
Iron mining formed a large part of Barakaldo's industry, making it the endpoint of a mining railway. The steel industry, led by Altos Hornos de Vizcaya, had an important presence during the 20th century, until the industrial recession hit the region's economy in the 1980s.
In recent decades, the industrial zones surrounding Barakaldo have become less prominent, which can be owed to the shuttering of large companies such as Babcock & Wilcox. Although several factories remain, areas that were once industrial have been redeveloped into residential properties such as malls and parks. A large exhibition centre. the Bilbao Exhibition Centre has recently been built on the outskirts of the town.
Transport
Barakaldo is connected to the rest of the Greater Bilbao metropolitan area by Line 2 of the Metro Bilbao. Four stations are in the city: Gurutzeta/Cruces, Ansio, Barakaldo and Bagatza). The Cercanías Bilbao train line has two stations in Barakaldo (Lutxana and Desertu-Barakaldo). BizkaiBus company provides a bus service, with connections to the rest of Biscay.
Locally, an urban bus system named Kbus operates with two lines. A tram line has been proposed to connect local districts.
The main motorway is the A-8 motorway, which also goes between Bilbao. It serves as the main road link between Greater Bilbao and the rest of Spain.
A boat ferry service connects Barakaldo to the other side of the Estuary of Bilbao in Erandio. Barakaldo is located from Bilbao Airport.
Demographics
Population peaked in the 1990s to over 100,300. The decline of local industry decreased the population, though, and in 2002, 95,000 people lived in Barakaldo. However, a recent increase has sent the population to 100,502 residents.
Tourism
Tourists visit sites in Barakaldo such as the Botanic Garden, the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, the medieval Bridge of Castrexana, and some of the city's street sculptures. In July, the town celebrates "Las Fiestas del Carmen," which includes open-air concerts and large fairs.
Sports
Barakaldo is represented by the Barakaldo Club de Fútbol in Spain's Segunda División B. They play home games at the Estadio Nuevo Lasesarre. A second team, SD Retuerto Sport, plays in Tercera División. Local league teams include Gurutzeta KFT, UD Burtzeña, Pauldarrak FKT, Zuazo C.F. and S.C.D. Dosa-Salesianos.
Handball has played a part in Barakaldo's tradition. Now, two teams are present in competitions: Club Balonmano Zuazo Femenino, playing in División de Honor Femenina de Balonmano, and Club Balonmano Barakaldo who plays in the Liga ASOBAL.
Bizkaia Arena is an indoor arena with a capacity of 18,640. It hosted some games of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Notable natives
Asier del Horno, footballer
Carlos Sobera, actor
David López, cyclist
Iñaki Lafuente, footballer
Javier Clemente, football manager
Javier González Gómez, footballer
Javier Otxoa, cyclist
Josep Lluís Núñez, president of FC Barcelona between 1978 and 2000
Unai Expósito, footballer
Antonio Iturmendi Bañales, politician
Maisha MC, musician
Lucía García, footballer
Esty Quesada, youtuber and podcaster
See also
Barakaldo D.F., a Mägo de Oz concert DVD filmed in Barakaldo
References
External links
www.i-barakaldo.com La comunidad virtual de Barakaldo
Official website (in Basque / Spanish)
BARAKALDO in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa)
Estuary of Bilbao
Municipalities in Biscay